The document summarizes findings from a space study conducted at the University of Nevada, Reno's new Knowledge Center library building. Key findings include that group study rooms were heavily used, both by individuals and groups, and that computer labs had high occupancy rates. Traditional library spaces like reading rooms and open stack areas saw less use than expected. The analysis suggests the building's flexible design allows functions to change over time to better meet users' needs.

1. 9/9/2009
Plasmas, Pizzas, Socializing, and Silence:
Creating Library Spaces Tuned to Today’s Users
Jeffrey Fleming, AIA, LEED AP
Julie Walleisa, AIA, LEED AP
Carol Parkhurst, MLS
ALA Conference June 2009
The Building… (vision)
Creating environments and opportunities
that didn’t exist previously…
University of NV, Reno Knowledge Center
295,000 s.f.
$76.5 M construction cost
Completed July 2008
The Data…
(take‐aways &
conclusions)
YOU SAID WHAT…?
ALA Conference June 2009
1

2. 9/9/2009
It is only through analysis of ‐‐ and reflection upon ‐‐ data and
information that knowledge is created. The Knowledge Center is
designed to contribute to new advances in various disciplines by
making knowledge creation easier.
‐ from the UNR KC “Vision Statement”
OBJECTIVES: DESIGN & PLANNING OBJECTIVES: LIBRARY AMENITIES
• Compatible with UNR’s brick tradition • Double the student seating space
• Open plan with abundant daylight • Provide space for group study
• Easy interior navigation • Full electronic infrastructure
• Choice and variety in seating options • Expansion of computer labs
• Landmark and Icon for the University • Expanded Special Collections
space
• Traditional library amenities…
PROJECT GOALS
ALA Conference June 2009
N
THE BIG PICTURE
ALA Conference June 2009
2

3. 9/9/2009
1
PLAN ORGANIZATION: Level 1
ALA Conference June 2009
2
PLAN ORGANIZATION: Level 2
ALA Conference June 2009
3

4. 9/9/2009
3
PLAN ORGANIZATION: Level 3
ALA Conference June 2009
4
PLAN ORGANIZATION: Level 4
ALA Conference June 2009
4

5. 9/9/2009
5
PLAN ORGANIZATION: Level 5
ALA Conference June 2009
SPACE STUDY
ALA Conference June 2009
5

6. 9/9/2009
The Method The Madness
• April 2009
• Open 8 months
• Typical week
• Hourly observation
• 7 days
• Sixty different spaces
• Staff and student workers
• Hard copy forms
ALA Conference June 2009
Data Collection Maps
ALA Conference June 2009
6

7. 9/9/2009
Data Collection Forms
ALA Conference June 2009
Analysis
• Categorized 60+ spaces: • Building-wide analysis
• Groups
• Traditional library • Occupancy as % capacity
• Computer labs
ALA Conference June 2009
7

8. 9/9/2009
Group Spaces
ALA Conference June 2009
Group Spaces
ALA Conference June 2009
8

9. 9/9/2009
Group Spaces
Occupancy: All Group Spaces
80%
70%
60%
50%
46%
40%
30%
10%
20%
10% 21% 24%
0%
Plasma Clusters/Media Alcoves Group Study
Multiple Occupants Single Occupant
ALA Conference June 2009
Group Spaces
Activities: All Group Spaces
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Plasma Clusters/Media Alcoves Group Study
ALA Conference June 2009
9

10. 9/9/2009
Group Spaces
ALA Conference June 2009
Group Spaces
Activities: Booths
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
ALA Conference June 2009
10

11. 9/9/2009
Group Spaces
• Used frequently by individuals
• Patrons seeking privacy/room
• More use, and more group use, on lower levels
• Choosing room by convenience
ALA Conference June 2009
Traditional Library Spaces
ALA Conference June 2009
11

12. 9/9/2009
Traditional Library Spaces
Activities: Reading Rooms vs Stack Areas
40%
35%
1% browsing
30%
bookstacks
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Reading Rooms Open Stack Areas
ALA Conference June 2009
Traditional Library Spaces
Activities: Open Stack Areas by Building Level
45%
40%
Level 5 =
35% Quiet Study
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
ALA Conference June 2009
12

13. 9/9/2009
Traditional Library Spaces
Occupancy: Average Utilization of Open Stack Areas by
Floor, Based on Seating Capacity
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
ALA Conference June 2009
Traditional Library Spaces
Seating: Reading Rooms vs Open Stack Areas, Based on Seating
Type Capacity
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Lounge Chair Table Carrel Computer Atrium Edge
Reading Rooms Open Stack Areas
ALA Conference June 2009
13

14. 9/9/2009
Traditional Library Spaces
• Designated quiet floors:
• Floor is being used that way
• May minimize use of media alcoves and group rooms
• Students are most often reading/studying
• Computer stations are heavily used, tables are not
ALA Conference June 2009
Specialized Computer Labs
ALA Conference June 2009
14

15. 9/9/2009
Specialized Computer Labs
Occupancy: Computer Labs, Average Amount of Time Occupied by
at Least One Person
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Videoconference
Videoconference
Production 123
Media Lab 108
Viewing 113
Computer Lab
Training Lab 414
DataWorks Lab
114
121
110
111
ALA Conference June 2009
Specialized Computer Labs
Occupancy: Average Utilization of Computer Labs by Seating
Capacity
120
100
51%
Number of Seats
80
48
60
40
20%
51
20 39% 39%
11 8% 20
11
8%
11 12
7 5 7
0 1 1
Production Media Lab Viewing 113 Computer Lab DataWorks Training Lab
123 108 114 Lab 121 414
Occupied Seats Unoccupied Seats
ALA Conference June 2009
15

16. 9/9/2009
Buildingwide Analysis
Activities: Building-wide
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
ALA Conference June 2009
Buildingwide Analysis
Average % Utilization by Seating Capacity
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Whole Bldg Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
ALA Conference June 2009
16

17. 9/9/2009
Buildingwide Analysis
• What is “other”?
• Sleeping
• Cell phone use
• Computer gaming
• Walking through
• Waiting in line
• Headphone use
• Watching movies
• White board use
• Playing chess
• Playing cards
• Looking out windows
ALA Conference June 2009
BIGGER THOUGHTS
ALA Conference June 2009
17

18. 9/9/2009
What’s your function?
Enclosed space can change
functions
Active group Quiet reading Teaching
ALA Conference June 2009
What’s your function?
• What size, shape and location
provides flexibility over time?
ALA Conference June 2009
18

19. 9/9/2009
You’re in my personal space…
≠
ALA Conference June 2009
You’re in my personal space…
ALA Conference June 2009
19

20. 9/9/2009
You’re in my personal space…
ALA Conference June 2009
You’re in my personal space…
ALA Conference June 2009
20

21. 9/9/2009
You’re in my personal space…
ALA Conference June 2009
You’re in my personal space…
• 1 person at 4 seat table = 25% max occupancy
• 1 person in group room
• Privacy, convenience, technology, spread out
• No place for groups to work without disturbing others
ALA Conference June 2009
21

22. 9/9/2009
Book Storage
How much area for stacks?
• UNR: 22% stacks
• 500,000 volumes in stacks
• 500,000 volumes in ASRS
Automated Storage System
+ Electronic resources
+ Decline in circulating volumes
= Less stack use
1% browsing
bookstacks
ALA Conference June 2009
If you install it, will they come?
• Right technology • Publicize it
• Right location • Support it
ALA Conference June 2009
22

23. 9/9/2009
Love the One You’re With
• Condense collections
• Create people space
• Make physical changes
• Create more privacy
• Repurpose existing rooms
ALA Conference June 2009
Love the One You’re With
• Schedule for double duty
• Day = reading
• Night = groups
• Furniture replacement:
• Change types
• Change use
• Change density
• Operational/policy changes
• Gaming
• Cell phones
• Scheduling rooms
ALA Conference June 2009
23

24. 9/9/2009
Next Steps
Should you do a space study?
• Can reveal current patterns
• Limited to current conditions
• May not be predictive
• Surveys
• Focus groups
ALA Conference June 2009
Next Steps
UNR Knowledge Center:
• Schedule some rooms to ensure tutoring
• Reducing copy machines when leases expire
• May relocate some plasma screens
• Building allows flexibility:
• Move technology
• Change functions
ALA Conference June 2009
24

25. 9/9/2009
Thank you!
For more information:
Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
www.dpsdesign.org
juliew@dpsdesign.org
jeff@dpsdesign.org
ALA Conference June 2009
25